How to Winterize Commercial Fire Sprinkler Systems

Fire sprinkler systems protect commercial properties by suppressing fires. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends inspection and winterizing of all commercial fire sprinkler systems every year. Two types of commercial fire sprinkler systems are the wet and dry systems. The wet system consists of pipes that are always filled with water from a commercial water supply. Dry commercial sprinkler systems have pipes that are filled with air under pressure. Compressed air rushes out of the pipes and allows water to flow from a water storage tank when the sprinkler head is triggered to open.

Things You'll Need

• Heat tape
• Plastic bucket

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Instructions

Winterize Wet System

• 1

  Check each sprinkler valve in a wet system to ensure that they are turned to the "On" position. Set the building temperature no lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit if the building is not going to be occupied for several days.

• 2

  Inspect the pipes in the ceiling to verify that there is adequate insulation covering the pipes. Keep all doors to outside closed. Keep the attic doors and access points closed to prevent heat loss.

• 3

  Check the antifreeze levels in a wet system to ensure that the water in exposed or vulnerable pipes contains enough antifreeze solution to prevent freezing.

• 4

  Wrap heat tape on pipes that are exposed to temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Wrap all areas of the exposed pipes and plug the heat tape into an indoor electrical outlet. Inspect heat tape installation daily.

Winterize Dry System

• 5

  Turn off the water source valve and turn off the air compressor. Close the top valve. Open the bottom valve (drum drips) and allow any water to drain into a plastic bucket. Repeat for each valve on the system.

• 6

  Return the drum drip valves to their original positions; open the top valve and close the bottom valve. Turn the air compressor back on. Set the temperature in the valve room no lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

• 7

  Place a small electrical heater in the valve room if the air compressor is not heated to protect the valve from freezing. Check the heater daily to ensure it is operating properly.